Two improvised explosive devices (IED) that exploded in the border town of Phuentsholing Monday evening at 6:30 pm injured at least four Indian nationals and caused some minor damages.

Both the explosions took place just opposite to Peljorling Hotel just within a time period of five minutes, confirmed the state authority.

Of the injured two were working in Phuntsholing and other two being the local residents of Jaigaon, wrote the government-owned Keunsel. The injured Indian employees were being treated in a local hospital, according to reports.

The explosion which was seen just a few days ahead of the royal wedding that is taking place on Thursday also caused some damage to Peljorling Hotel. No employees of the Hotel have been reported to be injured during the serial blasts. However, the blasts also damaged two vehicles on the park.

The police officials claimed they recovered some pieces of metal rods and blades at the blast sites and even warned residents to be cautious during the wedding session.

Indian media reports said Bhutanese border security has remained more alert to control any possible threats during the wedding period.

Meanwhile, an underground outfit, United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan (URFB), has claim the responsibility of the serial blasts.

“On the eve of Royal wedding, to draw the attention of the King Jigme Keshar Wangchuk towards the gross national sufferings of the Bhutanese people, the URFB ignited two explosives at Phuentsholing,” the Front’s Commander-in-Chief Karma said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.

The statement said, it would be inappropriate to describe the cause and the kind of sufferings of the Bhutanese people as everyone is aware and it has been continuing since the reign of previous king Jigme Singye Wangchuk who had laid down the foundation stones of these existing and emerging sufferings of Bhutanese people in Bhutan.

“The Bhutan history will never forgive and forget the deeds of the previous despotic ruler.”

Karma further said in his statement that the URFB would like to congratulate the King and the new Queen with a little hope that their majesties would not follow the steps of previous King who have compelled the Front to follow the path of violence.

He also claimed that the ball is inside the King’s court that would decide the Front’s future actions.

Earlier this year in May, a similar IED was exploded in the same town. The authority had blamed the exiled ground for the explosion.

The country saw the first blast in 2006 and three serial blasts in 2008 in Phuentsholing itself. However, the authority has already failed to figure out who has been operating such explosions in the country.

Bhutanese people resettled in different countries of Europe have celebrated Dashain amidst different functions.

It is reported that Bhutanese in Alta, Northern Norway, gathered in Sisa, a cultural centre for a Dashain program on 6 June.

Bhutanese in Rogaland, Western Norway, observed Dashain amidst a cultural program on October 8. Started with a welcome dance, the young Bhutanese artists entertained the gathered folk with more than a dozen dances.

Musical chair competition among the women and inter-kommune (municipality) quiz competition among the children added flavor to the program.

In the program organized by Rogaland Working Committee, a regional branch of Association of Bhutanese in Norway, a sangini (a typical Nepali folk dance performed by women) depicted a vivid image of the long journey undertaken by Bhutanese from Bhutan to Norway.

The program was organized in Haugesund, a central city in the region.

As per Sekhar Dhimal, a Bhutanese youth in Kragerø, Bhutanese in Telemark, a county in Eastern Norway, gathered in the apartment of Chhabi Acharya in Prosgrunn to mark Dashain. It is reported that a community teeka ceremony was organised in the region.

Though it is reported that the programs are organized in other

regions too, the details are yet not obtained.

According to a report obtained from the UK, Bhutanese Welfare Association in the UK organised a get together party on the October 8 to mark Dasai and Tihar festival of the year. Honourable civic Mayor of Tameside city Council, Manchester graced the programme as the guest of honour.

Amidst a ceremony, the festival was inaugurated by Madam Mayor Susan Quinn with the lighting of festival candle as a symbol of blessing to the Bhutanese community in the UK.

Other eminent personalities who spoke in the occasion included Gerard Devaney from the Refugee Action, Duncan Wells from RETAS Leeds, Irela Forrest from Bury city council.

Prem Giri, Chaiperson of the Bhutanese Welfare Association expressed his deep gratitude to the guests and participants on behalf of the community.

KN Pokhrel, treasurer made a financial reporting of the Association. Traditional food was served and cultural programmes were hosted. Balan dance performed by the senior community members rocked the festival.

Dup Tshring Lepcha made a vote of thanks on behalf of the organising committee.

No any formal community program has been reported in Denmark and the Netherlands though the Bhutanese resettled in these countries are reported to have observed Dashain as per the cultural norms.

As per separate  information given by a Bhutanese Hindu devotee from Manchester, UK, Bhutanese Hindu community in the UK marked Vijaya Dasami performing religious rites that began from Ghatasthapana, the very first day of religious festival followed by the recitation of Saptasati (Worship of Durga, the Goddess of Strength) at the residence of Chandralal Bajgai in Manchester and Dharma Raj Thapa in Bolton by Pandit (Priest) Tara Nidhi Niroula .

The religious rites concluded on the ninth day of Durga Puja with the offerings to the last forms of Goddess Durga, the Siddidatri. Dasami, the tenth day of religious festival was marked with the blessings and receiving Tikas from Pandit Niroula.

“This has become a great lesson to the Hindu youths and kids towards preservation and promotion of Hindu culture and tradition,” he said over telephone.

With input from Durga Giri from Manchester, UK.

Reports coming in from BNS correspondents from different parts of USA say that Bhutanese have marked Dashain, one of the biggest festivals of Hindus across the country.

Reports further added that Hindu followers have started to observe Vijaya Dashami, the tenth and the most important day of the Dashain festival, across the USA today by receiving Tika and Jamara as the token of Goddess Durga along with the blessings from their elders.

On this day, people visit their families and relatives to receive Tika—a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermillion—and Jamara—seedlings of wheat and other corns sown on Ghatasthapana and grown in dark for nine days.

Hari Niroula from WA informed BNS that the Bhutanese folks resettled in Rainier, Seattle, WA marked Durga puja with various programs.

According to Niroula, all most all the cities of WA where the Bhutanese resettled have participated in the function. People from all walks of life have enjoyed the program by dancing and singing hyms and bhajans. Hawans and Pujans were performed during the function.

Meanwhile, Bidhya Chhetri from Arizon informed BNS that this past Sunday, Bhutanese Community in Arizona (BCA) hosted the 2068 Dashain festival at the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. There were approximately 500 people including men, women, and children as well. People from different communities and different agencies showed up to grace the special occasion.

The general mood at the event was very festive and joyful. Women wore traditional dresses such as saris and men had Dhaka topis. Many Bhutanese volunteered to sing and dance at the event, and it was a very well executed combined effort. There were a total of about 32 different skits, and many performed songs, dances, poems and demonstrated Taekwondo. Additionally, an amazing variety of food was served for a very large crowd. There was also an exciting item of lottery game for those who donated two or more dollars on that day. They had a chance to enter to win different brands of prizes as well.

The Vice- President of BCA, Tara Nepal, kicked off the event by giving a welcoming speech that was soon followed by a splendid dance by the female members in Peace, Love, and Unity group.

Soon after, there was a brief speech about the facts of Dashain in English and in Nepali. Special guest, Nepali artist, Yam Baral and Dhan Gurung, a Bhutanese singer from North Carolina performed at the stage to energize and entertain the crowd. At the event, Dr Purna Chettri was felicitated as the founding father and Manorath Khanal as the first elected President of the BCA. Dr. Purna Chhetri introduced the other members of the organization who worked hard and selflessly to bring BCA to an existence. He explicitly stressed the points of preserving our culture, and how important it was for the younger generation to be involved with the community work.

The program ended on a good note with the Presdent, Manorath Khanal, thanking the crowd that attended the festivities.  The festival is being continued with celebration of Durga Puja at the BCA office till the day of teeka, vijayadasami.